FA Cup Team of the Week: Oscar, Iheanacho, Iwobi and Chadli Star
The FA Cup ticked into its fourth round this weekend and, unlike in the previous slate of games, "Cupsets" were tough to find.
Big wins for Chelsea, Manchester City, Everton and Tottenham Hotspur saw them into the hat for the fifth round, while Liverpool vs. West Ham—a 0-0 stalemate—served up arguably one of lowest-quality games you'll see in quite some time
Fortunately, there were some star performances speckled in among the chaos, and we've picked them out for the latest installment of the FA Cup Team of the Week.
We've selected the best performers from the thrilling weekend and slotted them into a workable formation—on this occasion, a 4-2-3-1.
Disagree with our selections? Hit us up in the comments section below to start the conversation.
GK: Dorus de Vries, Nottingham Forest
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Nottingham Forest bowed out of the competition after a 1-0 home loss to Watford, but goalkeeper Dorus de Vries did enough to land in our Team of the Week despite conceding.
He was blameless for the goal the Hornets scored and pulled off a few stunning, spectacular saves to keep the deficit at one while his team-mates sought a way back.
One stop in particular, preventing a Nordin Amrabat strike finding the net, was borderline world-class.
RB: Chris Gunter, Reading
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Chris Gunter was the standout performer in Reading's defensive line this weekend from both an attacking and defensive perspective.
"Solid" is the word you'd use to describe the work done in his own half, while bursting forward, he provided pace, width and end product. He sent in a truly precision cross for Matej Vydra's second (Reading's fourth) and had a hand in the build-up for the first goal, too.
CB: Elliot Ward, Blackburn Rovers
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"Man of the match on any other day, the debutant was composure itself," the Lancashire Telegraph wrote of Elliot Ward's fine Blackburn Rovers performance this weekend.
We suppose you'd expect nothing less from a former AFC Bournemouth player—the Cherries school their defenders in strong use of the ball and calmness in possession.
Ward also timed his challenges perfectly and snuffed out any danger that came his way, helping Rovers dismiss Oxford United with relative ease, and with it, the threat of a Cupset.
CB: Scott Dann, Crystal Palace
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When the going gets tough, Crystal Palace know they can rely on Scott Dann to step to the fore.
Their 1-0 victory over Stoke City this weekend was extremely hard-fought—particularly in the latter stages when the Potters ramped up the pressure—and Dann rebuffed everything to help the Eagles keep a clean sheet.
Match-winner Wilfried Zaha is unfortunate not to find a place in our Team of the Week due to heavy competition in his position, but Dann was a colossus at the back when required and slots in ahead of all of his peers.
LB: Abdul Baba Rahman, Chelsea
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Abdul Baba Rahman's chances in a Chelsea shirt this season have been fleeting to say the least, but Guus Hiddink gave him a go this weekend against MK Dons, and he repaid the Dutchman with a great showing.
A constant threat bombing forward down the left, he drew a foul on the edge of the box to set up a free-kick and served up a chance on a platter for Diego Costa and Oscar by hitting the byline and cutting the ball back.
There were times under former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho when he looked a little lost, but here his touch and composure and ability to stretch play were key to the attack.
CM: Fernandinho, Manchester City
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A certain hat-trick hero (who we will come to later) stole the headlines at Villa Park this weekend, and rightly so, but a display of such excellence is rarely possible without a solid platform to work off.
Fabian Delph's return to his old club drew hisses, boos and even a few plastic snakes, but while the crowd focused on diminishing his game, Fernandinho ran the show five yards to his right.
The Brazilian used the ball superbly, swatted away emerging danger with ease and produced a typical physically imperious performance.
CM: Danny Williams, Reading
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Reading's crushing 4-0 victory over Walsall came as a result of a great midfield performance, and Danny Williams was the star man in the centre.
His immense athleticism was on show as he drove forward time and time again, netting the Royals' third goal after a long run forward and having a big hand in the second, worming his way through several challenges before laying on the runner to cross into the box.
Direct, confident and with tidy feet to round it off, Williams put in an all-round great showing.
AM: Alex Iwobi, Arsenal
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Alex Iwobi's performance was the biggest talking point emerging from Arsenal's 2-1 win over Burnley this weekend, with the teenager impressing Gooners and lay-fans alike.
His speed and drive from behind the striker led to two goals—he supplied the pass before the assist for both—and he provided a threat on the counter the Clarets simply could not contain.
"I have a hesitation about loaning him because I think this guy could very quickly play," Arsene Wenger told reporters after the game, per the Guardian. The only problem is, Mesut Ozil has a grip on the No. 10 position.
AM: Oscar, Chelsea
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Oscar's really enjoying his football under Guus Hiddink, and Sunday was simply another example of how devastating he can be when on form.
His magnificent hat-trick was the cherry on top of a brilliant Blues performance as they ran out 5-1 winners over MK Dons. His third strike, in particular, was eye-poppingly good, bursting past three players and arrowing a curving shot into the far corner from the edge of the box.
His passing, movement, agility and work rate were all on show during the rout.
AM: Nacer Chadli, Tottenham Hotspur
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Competition for places in Tottenham Hotspur's XI is tough, so it's important fringe players take their chances once they're given. Nacer Chadli certainly did that on Saturday.
Spurs' impressive 4-1 win over Colchester United was a team effort, but Chadli stood out as a key performer in a ruthlessly efficient forward line.
He netted, assisted Tom Carroll's late icer and hit the bar in among the madness, all the while sending manager Mauricio Pochettino the following message: "You can count on me."
ST: Kelechi Iheanacho, Manchester City
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Manchester City allowed Edin Dzeko and Stevan Jovetic to leave last summer, sparking questions from the fans over whether the club had enough depth in the striker position.
Crucially, though, they hung on to Kelechi Iheanacho, and he's proving why the club have so much faith in him as their rotational option.
A devastating hat-trick against Aston Villa on Saturday will have surprised many lay-fans, but those who follow the City Blue know just how promising this man is. He's a natural predator—as his three-goal haul proved—and he is rapidly improving in build-up and link play, too.
